Improvement in the manufacture of iron



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IMPROVEME N 'I IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the lame.

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J 01111 BURT, of Detroit, in the county of Wayne, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of my invention is to produce a homogeneous iron directly from the melted ore, in the blast or smelting-furnace, or from the pig-iron run off from the furnace; and, for the accomplishment of this object, to effect a more thorough and homogeneous mixture of theingr'edients by which the metal is .carbort ized or decarbonized, whereby, at the same time, the puddling-process is facilitated and shortened.

My invention consists First, in overlaying the hearth of the puddling-furnace with a suitable charge of pulverized oxide of iron or other oxide, or of carbon, such, for instance, as pulverized charcoal, according as the metal is to be decarbonized or more highly carbonized, over which is run the molten metal, from the blast or smelting-furnace, or the "pig, which has previously been remelted in a cupola or other inrnace; and

Secondly, in combination with the above, introducing pulverized oxide or carbon, through a tube, into the mass, so that the metal shall have combined with it the requisite proportion of the carbonizing or decarbonizing-agent required to bring it to nature as speedily as possible.

In practically carrying out my invention, I have placed the puddling-furnace by the side of the blastfurnace, so that the two may be in convenient proximity. 1

If the nature of the ore in the smelting-furnace, or the quality of the iron to be produced, requires the metal ,to be decarbonized, I cover the hearth of the puddling-furnace with an oxide of iron, previously crushed and pulverized, in quantity varying with the nature of the ore, and the degree of decarbonization desired.

, The two furnaces being connected by a suitable conduit, I tap ofi the molten metal from the blast-furnace, into the puddling-furnace, directing its course so that it shall gradually cover the pulverized oxide.

As soon as this 'is accomplished, the oxide, owing to the difference in gravity between it and the metal, will rise and become fused with the latter, and the two will be thoroughly and homogeneously mixed, this result being hastened by stirring with the ordinary rabble or other suitable means.

It is, of course, impracticable to determine, with entire accuracy, the exact quantity of oxide which shall be put in the furnace in the first place, in order to decarbonize, and it may happen to be either more or less than is necessary, and I therefore add either carbon or oxide, whichever may be required to make the metal homogeneous.

This may be accomplished in any suitable way, but I prefer to introduce either ingredient through a hollow tube inserted into the molten mass, so that it may be quickly disseminated through and incorporated with the metal.

As soon as the metal is decarbonized and comes to nature, it is balled and passed through the sqneezers and rolls in the usual manner.

In producing a highly-carbonized iron, such as is required in the "manufacture of Bessemer steel, the same process is employed, carbon in a pulverized'condition, such, for instance, as charcoal, being employed in lieu of the oxide.

The carbon rises and intermingles with the molten mass in the same manner as the oxide, and produces, also, a thoroughly homogeneous metal.

In order to add to the charge the necessary quantity of carbon to complete the carbonization, I introduce, through a hollow tube inserted into the mass, petroleum, or other like hydrocarbon, by hydrostatic pressure, the end of the tube being closed and perfo-.

rated, so that the hydrocarbon may be discharged in fine jets 'into the metal; or other suitable carbonaceous ingredients may be employed, if preferred.

I find it, in practice, desirable to employ two puddling-furnaces-one on each side of the blast-furnacethe one intended for more highly carbonizing, the other for decarbonizing, the metal received from the blastfurnace.

The reverberatory furnace is, of course, to be heated before the metal is run into it, but owing to the method of placing the carbonizing or decarbonizing-agent with respect to the iron, the puddling is rapidly effected,

and a homogeneous metal is obtained with comparar' tively little expenditure of fuel, and without the great labor and expense attending the ordinarymeans employed; and I'am thus enabled to take the raw metal, in whatever state it may come from the smelting-furnace, and at once impart to it, during the puddlingprocess, the quality desired, whether it be intended for malleable iron or steel What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patout, is- I 1. The method, herein described, of effecting the carbonization or decarbonization of the iron or raw metal, by placing upon the hearth of the puddling or other reverberatory furnace, the pulverized oxide or carbon, overwhich the metal from the blast-furnace, or the previously-melted pig, is run, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the above, the introduction ,into the mass of the carbon or oxide needed to complete the operation, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, before two subscribing witnesses.

J OHN BURT.

Witnesses:

M. BAILEY, A. Ponnox. 

